Cooker



C. B. UPTON Jan. 7, 1936.

COOKER Filed .my 2a, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jan. 7, 1936. Q BI UPTQN 2,027,131

COOKER Filed July 28, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 if v J w i Afm/HTM Jan. 7, 11936. C, Bl UPTQN 2,027,131

` I cooKER Filed July 28, 1931 3 nSheets-Sl'reef. 3

ffm/f? Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE 2,027,131 cooKEa Charles B. Upton, Piqua, Ohio Application July 28, 1931, Serial No. 553,574

Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to cookers of the type which may be used for cooking lard, fats, meat scraps, packing house offals, garbage, fish, etc., or vegetable oil bearing seeds and nuts. In the 5 cooking of meat scraps, for example, it is desirable to cook the scraps for a certain length of time under a pressure above atmosphere to soften or disintegrate the bones and other similar solids, to facilitate the subsequent pressing and grinding of the same, and it is also desirable to cook the same subsequently under a vacuum in order to reduce the moisture content While continuing the cooking. In both the animal oil and vegetable oil industries, cooking under pressure above atmosphere is desirable to disintegrate and break down the oil cells in the material being cooked, and subsequent cooking under vacuum is also desirable to avoid the necessity of maintaining a high temperature for 2o too long a period of time, because the prolonged cooking at high temperature has a tendency to darken the oil and the cracklings or cake from the material pressed. It is also desirable that the cooked material be kept in a uniform condition as it comes from the cooker until pressed,

and made available for use in the press in fractional batches. I

An object of Y this invention 'is to provide an improved cooker of this type and method of cooking which Will produce an improved product, and which will be relatively simple, practical and inexpensive.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved method of cooking, with which the products to be cooked may be subjected to different cooking treatments in any desired sequence, and dispensed in any desired fractional quantities in uniform condition to a press or .Q other treating agency. y

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means and method of cooking and handling various products, with which the conditions of treatment may be changed from time 5 `to time and the different steps of treatment altered in sequence, with which the cost of handling the products during the successive treatments will be a minimum, and which may be more or less automatic in action.

Various other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out hereinafter in connection with .the appended claims,

In the accompanying drawirngrs:i

Fig. l is a sectional elevation of a cooker constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar sectional elevation when only one cooking chamber is utilized;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan through the part of 5 the cooker shown in Fig. 1, to illustrate the gate and its operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of the same, the section being taken approximately along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the same with the section taken approximately along the line li-a-b-c of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 6 is a diagram of the mechanism for operating the gates between the cooking com- 15 partments automatically.

Referring rst to Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5, the cooker includes a plurality of compartments or chambers I0, I I, and I2 which are arranged in superposed relation to one another. The cooker is provided with a plurality of steam jacketed sections I3, I4, and I5 which are secured end to end and suitably connected, such as by screws I6, it being understood that if desired, suitable packing gaskets may be interposed between abutting faces of the sections to insure tight connections. "I'he abutting faces of adjacent sections are of material width and substantially horizontal or transverse to the vertical axis of the cooker. One face of each pair of abutting faces has a peripherally continuous rib which interts with a peripherally continuous groove in the other abutting face of that pair. The lowermost section I3 has a steam jacketed bottom wall II, and the section I4 has a steam jacketed bottom 35 wall I8 which forms the top of the lower chamber Il). The section I5 has a steam jacketed bottom i9 which serves as the top of the chamber Section which may be either. steam jacketed or not as desired, may be secured to the top of the upper section l5 so as to enlarge the uppermost chamber I2 in which the first step of cooking takes place, because there is considerable shrinkage in many of the products treated, during the first step of the cooking. A top member 2| is secured to the upper end of the section 20 so as to complete the uppermost chamberV I2 and this top member is provided with a charging hatch 22, having a hatch cover 50 23 which tightly closes the charging opening during the cooking operation in the rst or uppermost chamber I2. The bottom I'I of the lowermost section I3 is suitably supported, such as upon columns 24.

`connection, (not shown).

A discharge conduit 25 extends from the lowermost section I3 at a point abutting the bottom Il thereof, so as to discharge the contents of the lowermost chamber into the usual measuring box 2S of a press or other treating device 21. Since the lowermost chamber I0 is elevated by reason of its support upon the columns 24, the contents of the lowermost chamber will be discharged by gravity through the conduit 25 into the measuring box 28 and a suitable slide valve 28 at the mouth or discharge end of the conduit 25 serves to control the movement of the cooked products into the measuring box 23. The measuring box 26 holds only a fractional part of the maximum content of the chamber Iii, and if the quantity of products forming the charge placed in the uppermost chamber I2 is'considered as a batch, this batch `will be passed successively by gravity from chamber to chamber until it reaches the lowermost chamber I0 and then isdischarged by fractional batches into the measuring box 26.

While any desired number of cooking chambers may be employed, I have, for vthe purpose of simplicity, illustrated only two cooking chambers I-I and =I2 and one holding chamber I0 in Fig. 1, but it will be understood that the number of cooking chambers may be increased by adding additional sections ifi or I5. In Fig. 2, as illustrated, there is only one cooking chamber I2 Aand a holding chamber IB, the intermediate cooking chamber I I having been omitted. Other- Wise, the construction in Fig. 2 is the same as in Fig. l.

r-llhe jacke'ted sections I3,"I4, and I5 and the jacketecl bottoms I'I, I8, and I9 have passages therein -through which live steam is circulated in order to provide heated sides, tops and bottoms to the chambers 'I0 and Il, and heated side and bottom to the top chamber I2. Steam to such chambers may be supplied by pipes 29, in Figs. 1 and 2, leading to the sections I3, I4 and I5 and it will be understood that the bottom section I'I will have a similar .steam supply The steam chambers of the bottoms I8 and I9 will be in communication with the chamber in the sides of v.the sections I 4 and I5, .and -a suitable drainage pipe (not shown) may be provided for each jacketed section or bottom to remove the condensed steam.

An agitator shaft 30 is rotatably mounted in azsuitable bearing device 3l provided on .the top 2| of the chamber I2, and at its other end is rotatably mounted in Va bearing 32 provided in the bottom section I1. The shaft 3B depends successively through the superposed chambers III, II, and I2, and in each chamber the shaft carries an agitator 33 which has Va portion 'that operates just above the bottom of the chamber,

.so that when the agitator shaft is rotated, the

.agitator 33 `will stir .the contents of each cham -ber and keep them thoroughly mixed.

yThe agitator preferably includes arms 33a and 33h disposed at spaced intervals .along and rotating with the shaft 33, one arm 33a being `close to `the ybottom of the chamber and the other arm 33h near the'top. These arms are yprovided with agitating ngers 33o which preferably extend toward vthe other arm in that chamber, that is, approximately parallel to the V'axis of rotation -of the shaft. The fingers 33o are located at different distances from the shaft, Aso as to travel in diierent circles. The arms vare .also .connected by one for vmore agitator blades 33d which also cut or travel .in .diiferent circles about the shaft. The blades and iingers thoroughly agitate and break down the products in the chamber, so that the entire mass of the products or material being cooked is exposed constantly to the cooking temperatures and the internal pressure, whereby the material is rapidly cooked and its moisture removed.

A packing gland 313 is provided where the shaft 30 passes through the top 2i, and similar packing glands .35 are provided where the shaft 36 passes through the bottom sections Il and I3. The shaft 3G, at its upper end, carries a bevel gear 33 by which it may be rotated, and this gear meshes with a driving pinion 3l which is continuously rotated from any suitable source of power.

A pipe 38 is connected to the interior of the chamber II, such as through the side wall of the .section I, and leads to an exhauster or other 'device 39 by which a partial vacuum may be created in the chamber II and moisture `and gases removed therefrom. A valve It in the pipe 38 serves to open or close the connection from the chamber II to the exhauster. The

exhauster may be an ejector and barometric condenser, or a vacuum condensing pump and it discharges into a hot well with sewer connection. Between the valve l0 and the chamber I I, the pipe 38 is provided with a branch pipe 4i having a controlling valve 42 by which the" chamber II may be vented after the valve 4B has been shut off. The pipe 38 may also be provided with a gauge 43 which indicates pressures in the chamber II both above and below atmosphere, and also a safety pressure valve 4d which vents chamber II to atmosphere automatically whenever the pressure in the cooking chamber I I exceeds a safe or desired maximum.

A similar pipe l5 leads from the top 2i where it opens into the chamber I2, and this pipe 45 is g also provided with a pressure gage 43, a safety pressure relief valve 44, and a branch bent pipe 4I controlled by a valve 42. The pipe 45 is also connected to the exhauster 39 under the control of a valve 46 similar to the valve 40. Either `or both of the chambers II or I2 may thus be connected to the exhauster by first closing the valves 42 and opening the valves 40 or 65, in which case a partial vacuum will be created in each chamber Il and I2. If pressure is desired in the f chamber I2 for example, the valve 46 is closed. The valve 42 in the branch from the pipe 45 is also closed. Thereupon, the steam created by the cooking in the chamber I2 will build up an internal pressure above atmosphere, and the contents of the chamber I2 will then be subjected to what is .commonly known as pressure cooking. At the start, live steam may be admitted directly to chamber I2 thru a pipe I2a, to build up the cooking pressure and temperature quickly. Similarly, pressure may be created in the chamber II by closing the valves 4i! and 62 of the pipe 38, and live steam may be admitted to this chamber thru pipe Ila for starting the cooking.

When it is desired to restore the internal pressure in either chamber tol atmosphere, such as when the material is to be passed from one chamber to another, 'the valves 4I] or 46 in the pipes 33 and 45 are closed depending upon which chamber is to be vented, and thereupon the valve 42 in that pipe 38 or 45 leading to the chamber to be vented is opened to` relieve the excess pressure. It will be understood that 'the charging cover 23 .is normally sealed in position 1liA i 49. with a handle if manual operation of the valve during a cooking operation, and is opened only` when a new charge is to be placed in the top vchamber I2.

The gate mechanism by which the charges or batches are passedw from one chamber to another is not shown in Figs. 1 and 2 because it is at the rear of the parts shown in those gures, and in the illustrated example it is located at the edge of the partition wall between the chambers as shown in Figs. 3 to 5. The gate or valve mechanism shown in Figs. 3 to 5 is the gate which controls the passage of the materials being cooked from the chamber I2 to the chamber I I, but identically the same mechanism is used for controlling the passage of the products from the chamber II to the chamber I0, or between any other chambers if the number of chambers is increased. Such gate or valve mechanism is also utilized between thechambers I2 and I0 in Fig. 2.

` Referring now particularly to Figs. 3 to 5, the sections I4 and I5 are provided adjacent the edge of the bottom I9 with apertures or ports 41 and 48. A gate frame 49 is secured to the sections I4 and I5 so as to cover the ports 41 and 48. 'I'he gate framev 49 may be formed in two sections f and g, which abut face to face and have between them a slot 5,9 in which slides a gate member I. The gate member 5I slides from side to side and its inner face cooperates with the fiat face of a wear plate 52 which is disposed along the exposed edge of the bottom wall or section I9. The gate member 5I isprovided at one point in'its length with a passage or recess 53 which connects the ports 41 and 48 when the gate member is in one position such as shown in Figs. Band 4. This is the open position of the gate member, and the products or material being cooked or treated in the chamber I2 may pass downwardly into the next lower chamber Il, in the case of Fig. 1, or into the holding chamber Ill in thecase of Fig. 2. The agitator arms 38a which sweep the floor ot the upper compartment shift the material across the floor into the port .48, from which it flows by gravity through the recess 53 of the gate member to and through port 41 into the next lower chamber.

When the gate is to be closed, the sliding gate member 5I is shifted sidewise, that is, endwise of itself, so as to carry its non-recessed face 54 across the ports 41 and 48. During this movement of the sliding gate member, which isfrom the right to the left in'Fig. 3, the gate member will engage against the Wedge or cam surface 55 (Fig. 3) of the gate frame which wedges the gate member tightly against the faces through Which the ports 41 and 48 open, thus tightly sealing the chambers Il and I2. Each gate member is providedwith a horizontally extending gear rack 56, and a pinion 51, which meshes with this rack, is fixed upon a shaft 58 that is rotatably mounted in the gate frame The other end of the shaft 58 provided or 'gate is intended or desired, but in case of automatic operation, as illustrated, the handle is replaced with a pinion 59 which meshes with a rack bar 68 that is mounted to slide endwise of itself upon the gate frame 49.

The core 6I of a solenoid or electro-magnet B2 (Fig. 3) is connected pivotally by a pin 83 to one end of the rack bar B8, so as to pull the rack bar 88 in one direction when that solenoid is energized, and the core 64 of another electromagnet or solenoid 65 is pivotally connected by pin 66 to the opposite end of the rack bar 69, so as to pull the latter endwise in the opposite direction. The sliding gate valve or member 5I may, therefore, be shifted from open to closed position and vice versa merely by energizing the electromagnets or solenoids 64 and 95 alternately.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 6, the automatic means for operating the different gates or valves in a desired order or sequence, automatically Will be described. The upper gate Valve will be designated generally by the reference A and the lower valve or gate member which controls the passage between the chambers I8 and II will be designated generally by the reference character B. A pair of cylinders 61 and 68 are mounted on a sha-ft 69, and this shaft is driven through a suitable speed reducing device from the shaft 1I of a motor 12. 61 and 88 are thus rotated slowly and in the same direction, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 6.

Three fingers 13, 14, and are arranged side by side, are insulated from one another, are mounted upon the base 1B of the speed changer 10, and bear at their free ends upon the periphery of the drum or cylinder 61. Three additional iingers 11, 18, and 19 are similarly mounted and bear upon the periphery of the cylinde-r 68. The drum 68 carries upon its periphery a pair of conducting bars 80 and 8| spaced apart in a direction peripherally of the cylinder. The bar 80 extends endwise of the cylinder from one end a distance such that it connects two of the fingers, 11 and 18, when it passes beneath those fingers in its rotation with the cylinder, and the bar 68 extends' in a direction endwise of' the cylinder from the other end for a distance such that it connects only the ngers 18 and 19 when it passes beneath the free ends of those fingers, during the rotation of the drum.

From the foregoing it will be seen that during the rotation of the cylinder 68, the conducting bar 80 will connect the 'ngers 11 and 18 for a short interval, and a short time later the conducting bar 8| will pass beneath the bearing ends of the ngers and connect the lingers 18 and 19. The fingers 13, 14, and 15 are similarly connected at intervals by similar contact bars mounted in the surface of the drum or cylinder 61 but not visible in Fig. 6.

The finger 11 is connected by wire 82 to the solenoid 52 of the gate device B. The nger 18 is connected to a common circuit wire 83 of an electric circuit which supplies the operating power. The finger 19 is connected by wire- 84 with the solenoid 65 of the gatey device B. The other terminals of the solenoids 62 and E5 of the gate device B are connected to the other main circuit wire 85. Similarly the finger 13 is connected by a wire 86 to the opening solenoid 62 of gate device A, finger 14 is connected to the common circuit wire 83 and the finger 15 is connected by a wire 81 to the closing solenoid 65 of the gate Vdevice A. Both solenoids of the gate device A are also connected to the main circuit wire 85. The drum or cylinder 81 is so positioned angularly upon the shaft 69 with respect to the other drum E8, that the lower gate device will be kept open a short interval of time sufficient to equal a complete discharge into holding chamber I8 of a batch of material being cooked in the lower cooking chamber II, and is then closed before the upper gate device A is opened. The gate device A is similarly opened The cylinders ,by simple manipulation of the valve 28.

for a length of time vsurlicient to ,effect a ldischarge of the contents4 of the chamber I2 into the chamber Il, and is then closed. This arrangement prevents any danger of both gate devices being opened at the same time. The contact bars or strips SIB and 8I in the surfaces of the drums are of course insulated from the drum and from each other, and preferably the drums are both provided with peripheral bands of insulating material into which the contact bars are set.

In the use of this improved cooker, and considering Figs. l, and 3 to 6, let it be assumed that the parts are assembled as shown. The first batch or charge of material Vto be cooked is supplied to chamber I2 through the opening 22, and the cover 23 the-n is locked in tightly closed position. Steam is then admitted to the sides and bottoms of all the chambers, and also through pipe IZa directly into chamber I2 until the cook-ing temperature and pressure are reached and the agitator shaft 3i) is rotated so as to thoroughly agitato the material and insure uniform heating thereof. Assuming that the irst treatment desired is to cook the materail under pressure, valve 46 in the pipe 45 is closed. The moisture of the material which is converted into steam can not escape, and consequently the pressure within the chamber i2 soon increases above atmospheric whether o1' not live steam is admitted directly to the chamber at the start. This internal pressure will be shown in the gauge in the pipe 45 and if the pressure exceeds a safe maximum, the safety valve di: will open and allow the escape of the excess steam until the pressure falls to a safe pressure. After a desired interval of time which is determined by the rate at which the drums El and 68 are driven, the gate device A will be opened by the electrical circuits shown in Fig. 6, allowing the material or batch to pass into the second cooking chamber II. A new batch is then supplied to chamber I2.

Assuming that it is desired to further cook the batch in chamber I I under a partial vacuum, the valve iii in pipe 33 is opened and the valve ft2 in that pipe closed. This connects the chamber II to the exhauster 39 which creates and maintains a partial vacuum in chamber II. The batch in this chamber is agitated and heated in the same manner as it was in chamber I2, and the degree of vacuum is shown by the gauge 3. After a d sired interval of time, determined by the position of the drum 68 on the shaft 69 and its rate of rotation, the lower gate device B is opened and the batch from chamber I I discharged into the holding chamber IB. The lower gate device B is closed just before the upper gate device A is opened to deliver a new batch into the chamber II. The material when introduced into the upper chamber I2, is subjected at first to cooking under pressure, then delivered to chamber II and subjected to cooking under a partial vacuum, ,and then delivered into the holding chamber it, all automatically.

In the chamber I@ the material is agitated continuously and kept hot by the jacketed wall and bottom, and withdrawn in fractional batches The process, therefore, in Fig. 1 is really a continuous one, and the treatment in the different chambers may be different and may be Varied widely. If it is desired to cook under pressure in both chambers, the valves in both pipes 38 and i5 are shut on" from 4the `exhauster and the internal pressure will be built up in each chamber. Live steam may be also admitted to chamber II through pipe Ha, for quickly building up the internal pressure. Of course, each chamber may be vented, at any time, if desired, by 5, opening the valve 42 in the pipe leading to that chamber. For example, in the top chamber I2 it may be desired to vent the chamber to the atmosphere before the cover 253 is opened.

A pipe 88 is provided with valve controlled 10 branches leading to the bottom of each of the chambers Il and I 2, so that samples may be Withdrawn for testing at any time or the free oil may be withdrawn prior to the discharge of each batch of material into the next lower l chamber.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the middle chamber I I of Fig. l is omitted, and the batches of material are `discharged directly from the cooking chamber I2 into the holding chamber I0. pipe 155 is connected to the exhauster as in Fig. l, with the same controlling valves, so that the batch of material in the chamber I2 may be subjected to either pressure or vacuum while being cooked, or first to one and then to the 25 other by suitable manipulation of the valves in the pipe 35.

t will be obvious that various changes in the details, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

l. In a cooker, an upright structure having three chambers arranged at diiferent successive levels with a passage connecting each of the two upper chambers with the top of the next lower chamber, the upper two chambers being aii` tight, the uppermost chamber having an airtight removable closure which may be opened for charging that chamber, and the lowermost chamber having a discharge passage from its bottom part, a gate for each of said passages, an agitator in each of said upper two chambers, each of said chambers having a steam jacket for heating it, means for admitting live steam to the interior of the uppermost chamber, a pressure relief vent for the uppermost chamber, and having a Valve which may be operated to close said vent, whereby steam pressure may be built up 5U in said uppermost chamber when the vent is l closed, and a suction device connected to the intermediate chamber for creating a partial vacuum therein, whereby material to be cooked may be deposited in the uppermost chamber. and there agitated and cooked under live steam and under pressure above atmosphere, then discharged into the intermediate chamber and there cooked and agitated under a partial vacuum to remove excess moisture, then discharged into the lowermost compartment where it is agitated and held at a uniform temperature, and then discharged as needed.

-2. An improved cooker comprising an upright tubular structure subdivided by an approximately horizontal partition into a plurality of superposed chambers in each of which material may be treated under different conditions, said structure having apertures in the side wall thereof immediately above and below said partition and forming communication between said chambers with the aperture above the partition rising from said partition, a gate member disposed across. both of said apertures and movable on said structure to 'present different portions thereof 75 The 20 o across said apertures, means engageable by one of said portions for tightly sealing and preventing communication between said apertures and said chambers during the treating of said material in said chambers, and the other of said portions having a channel therein which connects said apertures so as to provide a gravity chute -leading from the uppermost aperture to the tubular structure, subdivided by an approxi- ,mately horizontal partition into two superposed airtight chambers in each of which material may be received and treated under different conditions, the side wall of said structure having an opening extending upwardly somewhat from said partition, with the bottom wall of the opening inclined outwardly and downwardly somewhat, the side wall` of said structure also having another opening below said partition and in proximity to the iirst mentioned opening, the bottom wall of the second opening being inclined downwardly and inwardly from the outer face of said` structure, and a gate member secured to said structure so as to bridge said openings vand tightly close the same and' prevent communication between said chambers, and said gate being mounted on said structure for movement between two positions in which it presents different portions across the openings, one of said portions being engageable with a part of said structure and preventing communication between said openings and said chambers when placed there-A means for simultaneously treating the material in the other chamber to cooking under a substantial vacuum, the side wall of said structure having an opening communicating with one of said chambers and extending upwardly somewhat from said partition, with the bottom wall of the opening inclined outwardly and downwardly somewhat, the side wall of said structure also having another opening below said partition and in proximity to the rst mentioned opening and in communication with said other chamber,

the bottom wall of the second opening being inclined downwardly and inwardly from the outer face of said structure, a gate member secured to said structure so as to bridge said openings and tightly close the same, and mounted on said structure for movement between two positions inY which it presents diierent portions across the openings, one of said portions sealing said opening and preventing communication between said chambers when placed thereacross, and the other of said portions having a channel therein connecting said openings when brought into a position thereacross, said other portion being formed to provide a gravity chute between said openings f and chambers and conduct the contents of the upper of said chambers to the lower chamber by gravity, and an agitator moving in the upper chamber in close proximity to said partition and formed to push outwardly, during its movement, the contents of said upper chamber for discharge into the lower chamber through the channel in said gate member, when the gate member is in a position to connect said openings by said chute.

5. In a cooker, an upright structure subdivided into three superposed chambers, with gate controlled passages `connecting the lower part of each of the upper chambers with the next lower chamber, the upper two chambers being air tight, the uppermost chamber having an air tight, removable closure which may be opened for charging that chamber, and the lowermost chamber having a discharge passage from its bottom part, an agitator in each of said upper two chambers, means for admitting live steam to the interior of the uppermost chamber, a pressure relief vent for said uppermost chamber having a Valve which may be operated to close said vent, whereby steam pressure may be built up in said uppermost chamber when the vent is closed, a suction creating device connected to the intermediate chamber for creating a partial but material vacuum therein, and means for heating the contents of each of said chambers, whereby the material to be cooked may be disposed in the uppermost chamber and agitated and cooked under pressure above atmosphere, then further cooked and agitated in the intermediate chamber to remove excess moisture, and then held in the lowermost chamber at a uniform temperature throughout its mass until withdrawn for pressing.

CHARLES B. U'PTON. 

